NCAA Basketball: Top 2018-19 early season tournament fields

DURHAM, NC - MAY 31: Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski sits down for SiriusXM's Town Hall With Hall Of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Bill Brill Media Room in Cameron Indoor Stadium on May 31, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images for SiriusXM) /

4 of 6

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 10: Donte DiVincenzo bats. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

AdvoCare Invitational

The presence of defending national champion Villanova is what puts this South Florida-area event on the list. Fellow big dancers from last year, Florida State and Charleston, will provide the stiffest competition for the Wildcats. ‘Nova is set to replace most starters from last year.

The process of seeing whether or not Jay Wright can replicate 2017-18 will begin with this tournament. The ‘Cats retain four guys with meaningful minutes. VU also adds phenom Jahvon Quinerly. The prospects become much more optimistic with the game-breaking freshman on the floor. Florida State will love getting a crack at the Wildcats, as the Noles will retain most of the roster from last year’s Elite Eight squad.

The Memphis Tigers went 23-11 in 2017-18, missing the NCAAs after a disappointing finish in the AAC tournament. Kyvon Davenport and Jeremiah Martin come back to Memphis for this season. The two key contributors’ return will be welcome for the Tigers against the field of eight they will face at Disney World. Oklahoma State will also vie for the title here, looking to begin bettering a 21-15 mark from last season. Jeffrey Carroll, the Cowboys’ leading scorer, has departed Stillwater, and someone will need to step up.

Home/NCAA Basketball News